Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Lucknow Super Giants, 23rd Match, Indian Premier League 2026 - CommentaryRCB vs LSG, 23rd Match, Indian Premier League 2026 - Commentary
Start Time
7:30 PM
2:00 PMGMT
7:30 PMLOCAL
Match starts at Apr 15, 14:00 GMT
Have Your Say
Preview by Ganesh Chandrasekaran
It has been a difficult journey so far for the Lucknow Super Giants who have lost as many as they have won. And as the results indicate, they are also contending with middling form of key players, especially the overseas ones, who have not come to the party as yet. But heroes from unlikely quarters, such as Mukul Choudhary, have also given them reasons to rejoice. And on paper, they still command a threat that will not allow Royal Challengers Bengaluru to take them lightly.
But for all that to fall in place they would need the likes of Mitchell Marsh (75 runs; Ave:18.75) and Nicholas Pooran (41 runs; Ave 10.25) to step it up significantly. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium has proved to be a place where runs can be scored with a bit of application and targeted hitting. Against an in-form RCB, LSG will be desperate to play to the potential that's there on paper. The happier front has been the bowling department, led by Mohammed Shami, which has given them a lot more to cheer about. Adding to that cheer would be the news that their pace bowling could be further strengthened.
Tom Moody, Global Head of Cricket at LSG, made it clear that both Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan are closer to full fitness and could be available as early as the RCB game which could only add to their strength especially on a surface that has tended to assist the pacers that hit the hard lengths. And that's an area that the defending champions have cornered more effectively than their opponents so far at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. With that, they have set the tone early in the season, winning three of their four outings so far, and resemble a well-oiled unit where every piece knows and plays its part.
Leading the way and really embodying the step-up is the captain Rajat Patidar, who has started the season phenomenally well. In an exclusive interview with Cricbuzz before the start of the season, Patidar had hinted that he preferred playing against pace rather than spin as is the popular perception about him. True to his words, Patidar has 129 runs off 59 balls against pace in this season, and undermining tactics that come with the popular perception. With each of their batters creating an impact at some point this season, the bowling is where RCB's focus would shift deeper into the season. Although still minute, there have been some cracks that could be exploited - RCB has the second-poorest economy rate of the season only behind Kolkata Knight Riders. Particularly, their death bowling, barring Bhuvneshwar Kumar, has been below-par, going at 12.75 an over.
It'll be up to LSG to find a way and widen the cracks and derail the RCB juggernaut.
When: April 15, 2026 at 07:30 PM IST
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
What to expect: The Chinnaswamy pitch, so far, has played true to its reputation. Big scores are possible, but there is also something for the bowlers - especially the tall, fast ones - to exploit. Chasing teams have found it easier largely with four of the last seven games across the last two seasons being won by chasing sides.
Head to Head: RCB lead 4-2 overall, but have lost both at Chinnaswamy.
Team Watch:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
Injuries/Unavailability: Virat Kohli, who did not field in their previous outing against Mumbai with a suspected leg issue, seemed better off in the practice session on the eve of the game. Although he had his left leg strapped up, Kohli went through a routine 45-minute batting session without any pressing discomfort, which should augur well for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. However, the status of Josh Hazlewood remains unknown. The pacer has played only one game so far in the season and didn't practise a day before the match.
Tactics and match-ups: Mohammed Shami vs Phil Salt and Virat Kohli could be one to look out for early in the RCB batting innings. On a pitch that provides early assistance for pacers, this could be a spicy contest against RCB's in-form top order. Shami has also got Kohli out five times in 12 innings!
Probable XII: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Jacob Duffy/Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma
Lucknow Super Giants
Injuries/Unavailability: The potential availability of Mohsin Khan and Mayank Yadav - both returning from injuries - could provide a happy headache for LSG.
Tactics and match-ups: Krunal Pandya has dismissed both Aiden Markram and Rishabh Pant thrice in the IPL. RCB could toy with the option of introducing him early if there is a partnership brewing in the top order.
Probable XII: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, George Linde/Anrich Nortje, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan/Mohsin Khan, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Prince Yadav/Mayank Yadav
Did you know?
- Rishabh Pant has four fifties and a hundred against RCB at a stike-rate of 159 against RCB in the IPL
- Since IPL 2024, Rajat Patidar has eight fifties at a strike-rate of over 170 at the No. 4 position
- RCB have scored 200-plus in all four games in IPL 2026, but the opponents have also returned the favour in each of them.
What they said:
Tomorrow night is a great opportunity for all our batters that haven't had the consistency of the start of the season they'd like to really be able to lock in on a good surface, small ground and have an impact. I'm hopeful that one, if not more, of our top order will help take us to those totals, whether it be the first or the second innings - Tom Moody, Global Director of Cricket, LSG
It has been a difficult journey so far for the Lucknow Super Giants who have lost as many as they have won. And as the results indicate, they are also contending with middling form of key players, especially the overseas ones, who have not come to the party as yet. But heroes from unlikely quarters, such as Mukul Choudhary, have also given them reasons to rejoice. And on paper, they still command a threat that will not allow Royal Challengers Bengaluru to take them lightly.
But for all that to fall in place they would need the likes of Mitchell Marsh (75 runs; Ave:18.75) and Nicholas Pooran (41 runs; Ave 10.25) to step it up significantly. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium has proved to be a place where runs can be scored with a bit of application and targeted hitting. Against an in-form RCB, LSG will be desperate to play to the potential that's there on paper. The happier front has been the bowling department, led by Mohammed Shami, which has given them a lot more to cheer about. Adding to that cheer would be the news that their pace bowling could be further strengthened.
Tom Moody, Global Head of Cricket at LSG, made it clear that both Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan are closer to full fitness and could be available as early as the RCB game which could only add to their strength especially on a surface that has tended to assist the pacers that hit the hard lengths. And that's an area that the defending champions have cornered more effectively than their opponents so far at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. With that, they have set the tone early in the season, winning three of their four outings so far, and resemble a well-oiled unit where every piece knows and plays its part.
Leading the way and really embodying the step-up is the captain Rajat Patidar, who has started the season phenomenally well. In an exclusive interview with Cricbuzz before the start of the season, Patidar had hinted that he preferred playing against pace rather than spin as is the popular perception about him. True to his words, Patidar has 129 runs off 59 balls against pace in this season, and undermining tactics that come with the popular perception. With each of their batters creating an impact at some point this season, the bowling is where RCB's focus would shift deeper into the season. Although still minute, there have been some cracks that could be exploited - RCB has the second-poorest economy rate of the season only behind Kolkata Knight Riders. Particularly, their death bowling, barring Bhuvneshwar Kumar, has been below-par, going at 12.75 an over.
It'll be up to LSG to find a way and widen the cracks and derail the RCB juggernaut.
When: April 15, 2026 at 07:30 PM IST
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
What to expect: The Chinnaswamy pitch, so far, has played true to its reputation. Big scores are possible, but there is also something for the bowlers - especially the tall, fast ones - to exploit. Chasing teams have found it easier largely with four of the last seven games across the last two seasons being won by chasing sides.
Head to Head: RCB lead 4-2 overall, but have lost both at Chinnaswamy.
Team Watch:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru:
Injuries/Unavailability: Virat Kohli, who did not field in their previous outing against Mumbai with a suspected leg issue, seemed better off in the practice session on the eve of the game. Although he had his left leg strapped up, Kohli went through a routine 45-minute batting session without any pressing discomfort, which should augur well for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. However, the status of Josh Hazlewood remains unknown. The pacer has played only one game so far in the season and didn't practise a day before the match.
Tactics and match-ups: Mohammed Shami vs Phil Salt and Virat Kohli could be one to look out for early in the RCB batting innings. On a pitch that provides early assistance for pacers, this could be a spicy contest against RCB's in-form top order. Shami has also got Kohli out five times in 12 innings!
Probable XII: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, Jacob Duffy/Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma
Lucknow Super Giants
Injuries/Unavailability: The potential availability of Mohsin Khan and Mayank Yadav - both returning from injuries - could provide a happy headache for LSG.
Tactics and match-ups: Krunal Pandya has dismissed both Aiden Markram and Rishabh Pant thrice in the IPL. RCB could toy with the option of introducing him early if there is a partnership brewing in the top order.
Probable XII: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant, Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, George Linde/Anrich Nortje, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan/Mohsin Khan, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Prince Yadav/Mayank Yadav
Did you know?
- Rishabh Pant has four fifties and a hundred against RCB at a stike-rate of 159 against RCB in the IPL
- Since IPL 2024, Rajat Patidar has eight fifties at a strike-rate of over 170 at the No. 4 position
- RCB have scored 200-plus in all four games in IPL 2026, but the opponents have also returned the favour in each of them.
What they said:
Tomorrow night is a great opportunity for all our batters that haven't had the consistency of the start of the season they'd like to really be able to lock in on a good surface, small ground and have an impact. I'm hopeful that one, if not more, of our top order will help take us to those totals, whether it be the first or the second innings - Tom Moody, Global Director of Cricket, LSG
Squads:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam Dar, Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil Singh, Mangesh Yadav, Josh Hazlewood, Jordan Cox, Nuwan Thushara, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Abhinandan Singh, Kanishk Chouhan, Satvik Deswal
Lucknow Super Giants Squad: Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Ayush Badoni, Nicholas Pooran, Abdul Samad, Mukul Choudhary, George Linde, Mohammed Shami, Avesh Khan, Digvesh Singh Rathi, Prince Yadav, Manimaran Siddharth, Shahbaz Ahmed, Mayank Yadav, Matthew Breetzke, Anrich Nortje, Josh Inglis, Himmat Singh, Mohsin Khan, Arjun Tendulkar, Akash Maharaj Singh, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Arshin Kulkarni, Naman Tiwari
